Since e-cigs are a fairly new invention, it's tough to scientifically discern if they are healthier or more harmful than cigarettes. In his latest video, Aaron Carroll takes a look at the documented research. While the topic has yet to be studied seriously, there are some a priori reasons to think vaping would be safer than cigarettes: Without fire, there are no carcinogenic partially combusted carbon molecules. Studies find detectable amounts of carcinogenic nitrosamines in some vapor formulations, but vastly less than in cigarettes. Though I can find no studies on the question, presumably e-cigs would have less or none of the radioactive isotopes found in tobacco leaves.
However, until the studies are done, we can't be sure about that. Sensible FDA regulation would be a good start, to help cut back on the huge inaccuracies in some vapor labeling and to ensure quality manufacturing processes. Watch Carroll explain further below. --Ryan Cooper
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
September 1 editorial cartoonsCartoons Monday’s political cartoons include Labor Day picnic, branding strategy, and more
-
What is Tony Blair's plan for Gaza?Today's Big Question Former PM has reportedly been putting together a post-war strategy 'for the past several months'
-
When does autumn begin?The Explainer The UK is experiencing a 'false autumn', as climate change shifts seasonal weather patterns
-
SpaceX breaks Starship losing streak in 10th testspeed read The Starship rocket's test flight was largely successful, deploying eight dummy satellites during its hour in space
-
Rabbits with 'horns' sighted across Coloradospeed read These creatures are infected with the 'mostly harmless' Shope papilloma virus
-
Lithium shows promise in Alzheimer's studySpeed Read Potential new treatments could use small amounts of the common metal
-
Scientists discover cause of massive sea star die-offSpeed Read A bacteria related to cholera has been found responsible for the deaths of more than 5 billion sea stars
-
'Thriving' ecosystem found 30,000 feet underseaSpeed Read Researchers discovered communities of creatures living in frigid, pitch-black waters under high pressure
-
New York plans first nuclear plant in 36 yearsSpeed Read The plant, to be constructed somewhere in upstate New York, will produce enough energy to power a million homes
-
Dehorning rhinos sharply cuts poaching, study findsSpeed Read The painless procedure may be an effective way to reduce the widespread poaching of rhinoceroses
-
Breakthrough gene-editing treatment saves babyspeed read KJ Muldoon was healed from a rare genetic condition
